Pianette



DEC. D, M R

PIANE'I'TE Filed Feb. 24, 1930 INVENTOR,

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 20, 1932 ENTI orifice- DOROTHY mnirimaor KANSAS crrv, Mrssounr I IPIANE'IYTE Application filed February 24,1930. 1 Serial No. 431,032.

The present invention relates to musical instruments, with particular reference to practice instruments adapted for use in thetraining of pupils to learn piano,:and the primary object of the invention is to devise an instrument of this character whereby the pupil may be thoroughly trained in all the essential elements of the piano both as regards true tone pitch and all the movements involved in Proper key action. 1

Accordingly, pianette construction, having tone members adaptedto produce the-various piano tones, at proper pitch, and also the key and hammer actions operating on the same principle as the pianoforte. I p I In this connection, it is also an object of the invention to devise an instrument in which the tone members will not only emit tones of true quality and of proper pitch, but will also be of a permanently tuned character, and thus eliminate the care and expense involved in re peated tuning operations.

It isalso sought to devise an eflicient and thoroughly practical instrument for the desired purpose, having a simple and durable construction, and the employment of which will result in not only a more accurate but a more enthusiastic training of the pupil in the study of piano.

With the foregoing general objects in view, as well as various minor objects as will appear in the course of the detailed description, the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating one form of construction which I have devised for embodying the proposed improvements, after which those features and combinations deemed to be novel will be set forth and claimed. 7

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a perspective view, illustrating a pianette construction embodying the present improvements v Figure 2 is a sectional plan view, illustrating one of the tone members and the key and hammer action for same; and s Figure 3 is a vertical sectional detail showing the sound board and its approximate relative position in the lower portion of the case.

I have devised a novel Referringnow to the drawing in detail, the improved pianette construction is illustrated therein as comprising a suitable outer case 4 of appropriate heightand general dimension to perm t'of its use as a practice instrument, designed to be supported either by legs (not shown) connectedwith the case, orby resting the latter upon a table or other supporting structure, as may be preferred. p I The case 4: is provided with a key board of any desired range, comprising theseries of keys 5 which are pivotally mounted as indie sa ed a 6 n ope ativ a on o hamm rl ments 7 also pivotally supported asindic'ated at 8; and designed to be actuated by the-depression of the corresponding keysfor strik ing the tone members 9.

These tone members 9 comprise platesor I bars of plate glass or equivalent material drilled with openings 10 for mounting the tone members in engagement with pegs 12 loosely .fitting within said openings 10, and retaining the tone members upon the longitudinal supporting rails 14 having the felt strips 15 upon which the tone members are cushioned. I

1 The particular method. of actuating the hammers 7 or their operative relation to. the tone members 9, is of course not material, since the hammers may be actuated for strike ing the tone members from either below' as il:

lustratedor from above, which latter method may be preferred in some constructions. The best results are obtained by providing the hammers with rubber-tipped elements 16 for actual contact with the tone members9, producing a clear ringing tone. f

While it is not absolutely indispensable to provide either a sounding board or tone cham? ber in connection with the tone members and a hammer action above describedpmore satis factory results are obtalned by the use ofa sound board 20 beneath the series of tone members 9, this sound board being of gradually increasing size or width and sloping downwardly from the treble to the opposite end of the register, as represented by the dotted lines in Figure 1.

' From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have devised a pianette or piano prac- 2, 1,se1,aea' i tice instrument, having the various desired advantages, already pointed out. In class work, there has been the custom to use various types of dummy devices, having neither sound nor movement and thus making considerable and perhaps unwarranted demands upon the imagination of the pupil, to attain any degree of )roficiency in such methods of instruction an practice. Naturally, it would. e

be absurd to expect anything in the way of the development of a proper touch or key action on the part of the pupil, following the 1 use of such dummy devices. As regards tone, it is well known that it is difficult tok'eep-s stringed instruments, of the piano type, constant y in proper tune, and in fact it is seldom done. In my improved device, I attain both desired objects, as regards the true quality of the tone pitch,'and also the actual carrying out of the pupils training in the actual use of the keys, by which means onl can the pupils touch be properly instructe and developed.

Since the pupils ear and appreciation of the differences between the true tone pitch of the different points on the register can be properly trained and developed, this feature constitutes an important aspect of the present invention, wherein tone members, adapted to emit tones always of the correct pitch and of clear bell-like quality, are provided by the tone members 9, and these remain constant as regards their tone-emitting qualities, without any care or attention, such as is required for the tuning of a stringed instrument.

It will therefore be apparent that I have provided a practical and eflicient instrument for fulfilling all the desired objects of my invention, and while I have illustrated one preferred form of construction I desire to reserve the right to make such changes or modifications as may fairly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' A. pianette or piano practice instrument comprising a case, a series of tone members of glass or equivalent material, resiliently supported, a key and hammer action corresponding to each of said tone members, and

a sounding board arranged beneath said tone members and curving downwardl and gradually increasing in width from the treble to the opposite end of the case.

In witness whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

' DOROTHY MILLER. 

